2016 Suzuki Vitara: An Automatic Choice

Suzuki Auto South Africa has added the option of an automatic gearbox to the popular GL+ derivative of its award-winning Vitara range. The newcomer is based on the two-wheel drive Vitara GL+ and replaces the manual gearbox with a latest-generation six-speed automatic transmission.

Why is this model so important?

The gearbox on the Vitara GL+ auto is a torque converter-based design, and combines the convenience of automatic gear changes and a wide spread of ratios with the option of manual override via shift paddles on the steering column.

What does this mean?

Up to now, the automatic gearbox has only been available on the top-spec GLX version, but following strong customer demand and consistent dealer feedback, the GL+ auto becomes the second auto-transmission model in the Vitara line-up

What’s the fuss about?

Since its introduction in 2015, the new-generation Suzuki Vitara has been the recipient of several important awards. These include an overall victory in the UK website www.honestjohn.com’s 2016 Honest John Awards. It was also voted the Most Popular Crossover by the readers of the website, which hosts more than 4 400 owner reviews and has attracted some 2.27 million visitors to its new car reviews pages.

The Vitara also won a Best Buy accolade at the 2016 What Car? Magazine Awards, and was named the winner for the Compact Crossover category in the UK Sunday Times newspaper’s Top 100 Cars Of 2016 awards.

The Vitara GL+ auto offers buyers a generous array of customisation options, allowing the vehicle to express personal style and preference. For instance, a two-tone colour scheme with the roof finished in a contrasting hue is a striking option.

Buyers can also opt for Urban Pack or Rugged Pack executions, which offer different combinations of exterior features such as spoilers, scuff plates, roof rails, side protection strips and daytime running light surrounds in various colours and finishes.

Elements such as the grille, fender garnishes, wheel arch extensions, door handles, skid plates and the rear hatch can be further customised with different colours, finishes and designs to create a truly personalised vehicle.

In addition, an extensive array of approved accessories, ranging from alloy wheels to roof racks, bike carriers and tow bars, are available.

Click here for road tests and news updates on the new and older Suzuki Vitara.